RCC/ACP Convention offers workshops, awards, plenaries and more

RCC (Religion Communicators Council) and ACP (Associated Church Press) will join for their respective annual meetings on April 10-13, 2019 in Chicago during their joint convention, “Seeing in New Ways: Possibilities and Perceptions.” The planning is being done by a team from both groups. RCC and ACP will share workshops, plenary speakers, networking opportunities, fellowship and faith expressions.

Registration for the convention – which includes all presentations, workshops and scheduled meals, and awards dinners – is $395 until March 25. Registration is open.

Workshops

Among the many offerings and benefits of this event are workshops focused on professional development for communicators. A sample of what can be expected includes:

“Crisis Communications: Putting Your Plan Into Practice: It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’”

Led by a former journalist turned public relations pro, Katherine Kerr Kubatzky, APR, has extensive experience working with non-profit organizations. She is principal of Polaris Non-Profit Communications based in Austin, Texas.

“Podcasting: From Basics to Global Reach”

Christian Piatt, founder of Square Core Media, a digital media consultation and production company that helps clients develop new media, will talk and teach about podcasts. Podcasting can complement your current media strategy, come and learn how.

“Working with Freelancers”

Join this workshop to hear from Charles Whitaker, Chair in Magazine Journalism and Associate Dean at the Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He also has editing experience with Ebony magazine and as a newspaper reporter.

“Drinking From a Hydrant of Data and Using It Wisely”

Heidi Thompson is an organizer, marketer and publishing executive with 25 years of experience helping faith-based nonprofits leverage the science of marketing to build audiences, cultivate donors, and win campaigns. She will teach you to identify the metrics that matter in your work and how to use them to drive change.

Convention “extras”

Professional development, networking, and fellowship are important aspects of any conference. This conference is no exception. Consider some of the enrichment and extras available.

Award Ceremonies: The Religion Communicators Council has recently announced the 2019 Wilbur Award winners. RCC will present the Wilbur Awards at a banquet on Friday, April 12, at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel. Wilbur Awards are presented to secular media professionals who show excellence in the presentation of religious themes and values.

RCC will honor its own members with the DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards, RCC’s peer award competition, at a banquet set for Wednesday, April 10 at Fourth Street Presbyterian Church. ACP will present the Best of the Church Press Awards at a dinner on Thursday, April 11, also at Fourth Street Presbyterian Church.

Meeting Place: The campus of Fourth Presbyterian Church is a beautiful landmark and a vital member of the downtown Chicago community. The church describes itself as a “welcoming, serving community, reflecting the inclusive love of God and nurturing each individual’s spiritual pilgrimage.” The congregation was organized in 1871 when two older Presbyterian churches (founded in 1848 and 1855 respectively) merged. The current building is the third for Fourth Street and shows architecture reflecting the “best” of English and French Gothic styles. Only 5 minutes from our hotel, the church building also has easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment and more.

Tour of Bahá’í House of Worship: Located in nearby Wilmette, Illinois, this is one of ten dedicated temples of the Bahá’í faith around the globe. The tour of the stunning building will include the auditorium, the welcome center and the grounds. The tour is on Saturday, April 13 and transportation departs from the hotel at 9 a.m. arriving at 10 a.m.

“Shop Talk” Groups are planned throughout the convention to give participants opportunities to chat about areas of mutual interest and ideas that the keynote events and workshop sessions may have sparked.

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